Laser manufacturers shipped 13 percent fewer industrial lasers and systems in the second quarter of 2001 than in the same period in 2000, according to the Association for Manufacturing Technology's Laser Systems Product Group. Shipments by the 47 companies that report to the group's statistical program totaled $105.5 million in North America and $38.4 million outside.

The biggest drop came in CO₂ laser sales, which declined 18 percent; Nd:YAG shipments were down 6 percent. No excimer laser sales were reported.

The group notes that the statistics reflect only those from companies that contributed data in both reporting quarters; they do not count shipments from companies that may have joined the statistical program between periods.